Whiskey of the Day: Tyrconnell Single Malt

TYRCONNELL SINGLE MALT

DESCRIPTION:

A single malt Irish whiskey from the Cooley distillery, Tyrconnell is incredibly creamy and smooth.

Nose: Sweet and crisp with orchard fruits and a malty character
Palate: Full and sweet with barley malt and hot buttered granary toast with honey
Finish: Dry and grassy with a little spice

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Jeffrey Dale Starr is a whiskey enthusiast, oil painter, and owner of mobile software company Purple Falcon.

Monet's Home in Giverny

When planning a trip to France, there is a standard list of destinations: the Eiffel Tower, a ride on the Seine, the Louvre (and hopefully the Orsay), and the Arc De Triomphe. But when you are making arrangements for your next vacation to this European gem, be sure to include an excursion to Monet's home in Giverny.

Even if you're not a huge fan of Impressionism or art in general, seeing Monet's gardens and the gorgeous Normandy countryside is well worth the trip. For fans of the master, it is an unspeakable joy to see the inspiration of numerous masterpieces such as the Water Lilies series and "The Japanese Footbridge".

A highlight of this beautiful location is the fences that Monet planted. They are composed of living fruit trees, interwoven to form a unique, fragrant work of art.

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Jeffrey Dale Starr is a world traveler, oil painter, and owner of mobile software company Purple Falcon.

The Beer of Star Wars

Whether taking a respite at a Mos Eisley cantina or rubbing shoulders with the hoi polloi at a Coruscant nightclub, the characters in Star Wars are going to get thirsty.

And when they do, what will be their brew of choice?

This question, which has befuddled the masses for decades, we will attempt to answer below (feel free to offer your insights.)

Darth Vader Surly Furious Well of course Anakin Skywalker would drink no other beer than Surly Furious. Not only does the name describe him perfectly, but the beer itself is dark, mysterious, and will take you out of commission if you're not careful. Do not underestimate the power of the dark beer.

Han Solo Odell Myrcenary Yes, Han ended up becoming a hero. But there's no denying the fact that in Episode IV his main motivator was money. Saving a princess solely for a reward definitely qualifies as mercenary. Solo gives Odell's brew this ringing endorsement: "I don't have a bad feeling about this."

The Sarlacc The Abyss (Deschutes Brewery) I feel kind of sorry for The Sarlacc. For a long time now, he drinks The Abyss from Deschutes because he thinks that it was named after him. But he isn't the only one to benefit from the delicious beer. Boba Fett was quoted as saying, "Yes, it's no picnic being slowly digested by a giant plant monster. But if I can help pass the time by drinking a refreshing beverage like The Abyss, it's almost worth it."

Sebulba AleSmith Speedway Stout What else to refresh a parched podracer on a hot Malastare afternoon than the fittingly named Speedway Stout? And as an added benefit, this beer is like drinking a fine cup of coffee, motivating a Dug to reach that finish line in style.

Lando Calrissian Colt 45 In an amazing coincidence, Lando's beer of choice is the same as Billy Dee Williams, the actor that plays him. Whether dealing with a stressful day managing Cloud City or making a guest appearance on The Jeffersons, Colt 45 makes everything go a little smoover.

C-3PO Pink Champagne Yes, pink champagne is not beer. But what else would C-3PO drink?

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Jeffrey Dale Starr is a beer enthusiast, oil painter, and owner of mobile software company Purple Falcon.

The Vodka of Star Wars

Whether taking a respite at a Mos Eisley cantina or rubbing shoulders with the hoi polloi at a Coruscant nightclub, the characters in Star Wars are going to get thirsty.

And when they do, what will be their vodka of choice?

This question, which has befuddled the masses for decades, we will attempt to answer below (feel free to offer your insights.)

The Wampa Blue Ice When trying to survive a particularly brutal winter on Hoth, tauntauns and wampas while the time sipping on this fine Colorado treat. A visitor named Mr. Solo commented "and I thought it looked good on the outside!"

Palpatine / Darth Sidious Death's Door As the picture to the left demonstrates, Palpatine's health has seriously declined since his halcyon days as a vibrant senator on Naboo. The Dark Lord of the Sith likes to spend relaxing evenings at home sipping on this Cedar Rapids-based beverage.

Yoda Mad Monk Yes, technically, Yoda isn't mad or a monk. But he does give off the vibe of a mysterious cleric and he did act really crazy when he first met Luke on Dagobah. When unwinding with his snake and toad buddies back on his slimy mudhole, Master Yoda likes to doze off with a belly full of this fine Russian favorite.

Boss Nass Froggy B Not sure if it's because he likes frogs, or that he is a frog, but the Gungan leader loves this vodka from France. Asked if he would drink any other brand, Rugor Nass shook his head violently (sending saliva shooting off in all directions.)

Chewbacca Players Extreme On Kashyyyk they take their space chess seriously. When participating in his favorite board game, Han's co-pilot always has a glass of this English vodka by his side. This intoxicating delight is but another reason to let the Wookiee win.

C-3PO Pink Champagne Yes, pink champagne is not vodka. But what else would C-3PO drink?

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Jeffrey Dale Starr is a vodka enthusiast, oil painter, and owner of mobile software company Purple Falcon.

Wine of the Day: 2009 Ch. Grand Mazerolles, Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux

2009 Ch. Grand Mazerolles, Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux

WINERY:
Ch. Grand Mazerolles, Côtes de Blaye

DESCRIPTION:
From the Blaye region, on the right bank of the Gironde, a succulent, gently oaked claret, 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, full of the bright, energetic character which nature endowed upon the great 2009 vintage. The most majestic wines from this exceptional year should be left to slumber for a generation, but Bordeaux’s diversity also provides much to enjoy now, such as this elegant and discreetly joyous wine.

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Jeffrey Dale Starr is a wine enthusiast, oil painter, and owner of mobile software company Purple Falcon.

The Top 5 Chain Hamburgers

I know, I know, I know...posting a blog like this is the equivalent of "5 Best Rock Bands", "5 Best Movies", "5 Best Whatever"- people are going to go nuts.

On the other hand, I love reading little articles like this not only for the things I agree with, but maybe even moreso, the things that infuriate me.

So here we go!

5. Ultimate Cheeseburger Jack in the Box Like Ravel's Bolero, the Ultimate Cheeseburger is a work of single vision and beauty. It's a lot of meat, a lot of cheese, and a bun. No muss, no fuss...just pure burger bliss.

4. Super Star Carl's Jr. Along with their sleazy soul-mates, GoDaddy, I despise the commercials that Carl's Jr. puts out. But there is no denying that their burgers are delicious. For a fast-food joint, their ingredients seem quite fresh. It's a shame - if they changed their advertising strategy they'd get a lot more of my business.

3. Double-Double In-N-Out When I lived in San Francisco, there was an In-N-Out about 2 miles from my house. No matter what time of day I drove past that place - 3:00 PM, 3:00 AM - it was packed. The drive-thru would have a line 20 cars deep. And I don't get it. Don't get me wrong - I like their burgers. I mean, it's number 3 on my list. But the maniacal devotion that people have for this place escapes me. That being said, it is a really good burger. However, when in the Bay Area, I prefer Nation's burger. But I was determined to limit this list to national chains.

2. The Original Fudds Fuddruckers The bun alone makes this one of the greatest burgers in the country. And fresh ground meat. And wonderful condiments that you get to choose yourself. Fantastic, fantastic flavor. So why isn't it #1 on my list? Because you have to go in and sit down to eat it. When it comes to hamburgers, the ability to acquire via drive-thru-window is worth a lot of points.

1. The Whopper Burger King I know this choice will meet with some scorn. But bottom line, what is the main reason we choose a food? Flavor. And I love the way The Whopper tastes. Flame-broiled. Big, wide bun. Lotsa tomato. Mayonnaise and ketchup. Man, my mouth is watering just describing it. I love, love, love The Whopper. No shame.

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Jeffrey Dale Starr is a tequila enthusiast, oil painter, and owner of mobile software company Purple Falcon.

Whiskey of the Day: Balcones Baby Blue

BALCONES BABY BLUE

DESCRIPTION:

Baby Blue is a unique corn whisky made from atole, a roasted blue corn meal. Baby Blue isn’t bourbon nor white lightning. It has the freshness and verve of traditional corn whisky but with a refined complexity. The result is a round nuttiness and roasty overtones with a smooth finish. Baby Blue was the first Texas whisky on the market since prohibition, and is the only craft-made whisky to have received a 5-star rating from F. Paul Pacult’s Spirit Journal other than Balcones "1" Texas Single Malt.

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Jeffrey Dale Starr is a whiskey enthusiast, oil painter, and owner of mobile software company Purple Falcon.

Travel Destination of the Day: Amsterdam, Netherlands

Amsterdam, Netherlands

DESCRIPTION:

from Wikipedia: Amsterdam is the capital and most populous city of the Netherlands. Its status as the Dutch capital is mandated by the Constitution of the Netherlands, although Amsterdam is not the seat of the Dutch government which is The Hague. Amsterdam has a population of 802,938 within city limits, 1,560,414 in the urban region and 2,332,839 in the greater metropolitan area. The city is located in the province of North Holland in the west of the country. It comprises much of the northern part of the Randstad, one of the larger conurbations in Europe, with a population of approximately 7 million.

Amsterdam's name derives from Amstelredamme, indicative of the city's origin: a dam in the river Amstel. Originating as a small fishing village in the late 12th century, Amsterdam became one of the most important ports in the world during the Dutch Golden Age, a result of its innovative developments in trade. During that time, the city was the leading center for finance and diamonds. In the 19th and 20th centuries, the city expanded, and many new neighborhoods and suburbs were planned and built. The 17th-century canals of Amsterdam and the 19–20th century Defence Line of Amsterdam are on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

As the commercial capital of the Netherlands and one of the top financial centres in Europe, Amsterdam is considered an alpha world city by the Globalization and World Cities (GaWC) study group. The city is also the cultural capital of the Netherlands. Many large Dutch institutions have their headquarters there, and 7 of the world's top 500 companies, including Philips and ING, are based in the city. In 2012, Amsterdam was ranked 2nd best city to live by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU)  and 12th globally on quality of living by Mercer. The city was previously ranked 3rd in innovation by 2thinknow in the Innovation Cities Index 2009.

The Amsterdam Stock Exchange, the oldest stock exchange in the world, is located in the city center. Amsterdam's main attractions, including its historic canals, the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum, Stedelijk Museum, Hermitage Amsterdam, Anne Frank House, Amsterdam Museum, its red-light district, and its many cannabis coffee shops draw more than 3.66 million international visitors annually.

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Jeffrey Dale Starr is a world traveler, oil painter, and owner of mobile software company Purple Falcon.

Beer of the Day: Brooklyn Lager

Brooklyn Lager

STYLE:
American Amber Lager
MALT:
American Two-row Malts
HOPS:
Hallertauer Mittelfrueh, Vanguard and Cascade

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Jeffrey Dale Starr is a beer enthusiast, oil painter, and owner of mobile software company Purple Falcon.

Vodka of the Day: Oval Vodka 42

Oval Vodka 42

STYLE:
Ultra-clean and ultra-smooth

DESCRIPTION:
Oval Vodka 42 is extremely smooth and leads to a fairly clean palate with hints of fresh grain and soft herbs. The finish is uniquely refreshing, and encapsulated by water. Overall a very clean vodka.

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Jeffrey Dale Starr is a vodka enthusiast, oil painter, and owner of mobile software company Purple Falcon.

Wine of the Day: 2007 Seghesio Sonoma Zinfandel

2007 Seghesio Sonoma Zinfandel

WINERY:
Seghesio Family Winery, Sonoma Valley

DESCRIPTION:
A seductive and vigorous Zinfandel, with smoky black cherry and blueberry aromas and youthful wild berry, sage and cracked pepper flavors that have a lingering finish and zesty tannins.

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Jeffrey Dale Starr is a wine enthusiast, oil painter, and owner of mobile software company Purple Falcon.

Tequila of the Day: 3 Amigos Anejo

3 Amigos Anejo

QUALITIES:
A very smooth tequila, with just a hint of spice. Wonderful in an Italian Sunrise or Naranjita.

DESCRIPTION:
3 Amigos Anejo is a superb choice for connoisseurs who enjoy a delicate, aged tequila. Our Anejo is a double distilled tequila Blanco that is aged in oak barrels for two years, soaking in the traits of our charred white oak barrels. Offering a smooth, flavorful and distinct taste, our Anejo carries an initial taste of agave and wood, with vanilla and light caramel body and a smooth and balanced finish. Unlike many of our competitors our Anejo is aged for two years rather than the one-year minimum. Remember, when you’re drinking 3 Amigos Tequila Anejo you’re drinking close to eight years of hard work and dedication.

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Jeffrey Dale Starr is a tequila enthusiast, oil painter, and owner of mobile software company Purple Falcon.

Whiskey of the Day - The Glenlivet XXV

THE GLENLIVET XXV

Character: The intense and opulent one
Colour: Rich amber with ripe gold hues
Nose: Dark chocolate with scents of dried sultanas
Palate: Silky, sweet and caressing with cinnamon notes
Finish: Incredibly long, rich and balanced

Craft facts The XXV is a batch-produced whisky finished in individually selected ex-sherry butts.

The Oloroso-soaked oak imparts a nutty spiciness and enriches the flavour of the expression.

Each cask is individually monitored in the finishing process to ensure only the subtlest sherry tones are added to this intense, silky and elegant whisky.

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Jeffrey Dale Starr is a whiskey enthusiast, oil painter, and owner of mobile software company Purple Falcon.

The Challenge of Travelling with Children

Avoiding the frustration of being a parent with a bored child while touring the world’s great cities

The words every parent dreads hearing while strolling the Champs-Elysees with their offspring: “Is there a McDonald’s around here? I’m borrrrred!”

You’ve scrimped and saved for months (maybe years) to bestow on your children something your parents weren’t able to provide for you: a priceless education and exposure to the Art, Architecture and Cuisine of the great cities of Europe. But your kids just want to text their friends and hang out at a shopping mall.

What can parents do to enthuse their young ones regarding this once-in-a-lifetime experience?

“Educate them, educate them, educate them” says Hastings Wolfe, frequent traveler and expert on the psyche of children. “Kids are just like adults - the less they know about something, the less they care about it.”

He cites as examples comic books, sports and YA novels.

“For most young people, when they latch on to something they go full-force. Kids (mainly boys) who are into comic books, for instance, know every detail about every character and their entire backstory. This makes reading about them more enjoyable. Same goes for athletes and sports. As for the girls, they can tell you every minute detail of the love triangle at the core of the latest YA novel.”

Wolfe believes this same strategy can be employed prior to heading off to the family vacation overseas by learning of the culture, history, art, cuisine, etc. that will be experienced while visiting the host country. He also recommends learning some of the language spoken.

“I would say that families traveling to foreign countries make up the bulk of our customers when it comes to the language apps” says Jeffrey Starr, owner of the software company Purple Falcon. The firm produces a language app geared toward children called Banana Cat - Learn a Language! 

“The Banana Cat language app is set up like flash-cards for the iPhone and iPad, but the app has colorful pictures and sound effects that are very appealing to kids. Currently the app allows you to learn 50 words in 8 languages, for a total of 400. The initial language list is French, German, Spanish, English, Japanese, Portuguese, Dutch and Italian. Obviously the number of languages will grow with demand.”

Starr agrees with Wolfe that learning the language will enhance the vacation for the kids.

 “Even though our apps are only teaching the kids 50 words or so in each of the 8 languages, we’ve heard reports about how excited they get. When they are walking the streets of Rome or Paris and come across a word they know in Italian or French, the parents say their eyes just light up.”

Learning the history of the area ahead of time can be a big help as well.

Adults can attest to the fact that it’s easy to suffer from information-overload when touring a history-rich area like Athens or London. Just imagine how overwhelming that could be for a 10-year-old.

But when the parent spoon-feeds historical tidbits in small doses in the months leading up to the trip, the child will have a much better time absorbing the information (and recalling it later).

Wolfe also recommends introducing the young ones to some of the food they may experience on the trip ahead of time. By exposing their immature palates to new flavors in small doses, parents may find that their children are much more receptive to the exciting new dishes they receive in a foreign land.

How often we meet adults who say, “I visited Paris when I was a kid, but I was too young to appreciate it! I wish I could do it again!”

If parents prepare their young ones ahead of time, they can greatly enhance the kids’ vacation experience, no matter what their age.

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Jeffrey Dale Starr is a world traveler, oil painter, and owner of mobile software company Purple Falcon.

Beer of the Day: Surly Furious

SURLY FURIOUS

STYLE:
American India Pale Ale
MALT:
Pale Ale, Golden Promise, Aromatic, Medium Crystal, Roasted Barley
HOPS:
Warrior, Ahtanum, Simcoe, Amarillo
YEAST:
English Ale

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Jeffrey Dale Starr is a beer enthusiast, oil painter, and owner of mobile software company Purple Falcon.

Vodka of the Day: Square One Botanical

Square One Botanical

STYLE:
A floral and fruit bouquet

DESCRIPTION:
Square One Botanical is a bold (90 proof) organic rye spirit infused with the organic essence of eight botanicals: pear, rose, chamomile, lemon verbena, lavender, rosemary, coriander and citrus peel. This enticing composition of organic fruit, floral and herbs creates a captivating fragrance and offers a seductive taste experience in cocktails.

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Jeffrey Dale Starr is a vodka enthusiast, oil painter, and owner of mobile software company Purple Falcon.

Wine of the Day: 2010 Buoncristiani Dolcetto di Nonno

2010 Buoncristiani Dolcetto di Nonno

WINERY:
Buoncristiani Family Winery, Napa Valley

DESCRIPTION:
Handcrafted in boutique collector amounts this rare, dry Italian varietal is intensely flavored yet supple and focused, making it not only a crowd pleaser, but also a great food companion.

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Jeffrey Dale Starr is a wine enthusiast, oil painter, and owner of mobile software company Purple Falcon.

Tequila of the Day: Casa Dragones

CASA DRAGONES

QUALITIES:
Casa Dragones is a sipping tequila with exceptionally smooth taste.

DESCRIPTION:
Casa Dragones is 100% Blue Agave Joven Tequila, handcrafted in small batches in Tequila, Mexico. Our Maestro Tequilero hand finishes each bottle by gently balancing silver tequila with a hint of extra añejo. Our entire process is designed with a singular purpose: to deliver a tequila so smooth, it can only be called a sipping tequila.

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Jeffrey Dale Starr is a tequila enthusiast, oil painter, and owner of mobile software company Purple Falcon.